She flicked his head. "This is the center of the universe. Of course it's gonna hurt. Magic is everywhere, dingbat." She tapped her earpiece. "You either get used to it, or you wear these things. For those who grew up here, they're used to it. But those of us who immigrated? Cin developed these for that exact reason and tweaked them to suit other needs as well. Like sensitive hearing and long-distance communication. And music. I gotta have my music."
He nodded, still frowning. "Alright, I guess."
She sighed and drug him along. "You're way too serious. I need to get some booze in you."
"Tess," he said, laughing. "I'm underage."
She blew a raspberry. "Pish posh. There's no rules here. Maybe I can ask the twins for the good stuff…"
"Do I have to get drunk? I've gotta go talk to Cin, and I really don't want Jack Daniel's telling me what to say."
She pouted, sticking out her bottom lip. "Fine. I'll get drunk for the both of us." A dark-haired girl passed them, glanced at Tessa, blushed, then quickly sped away. Tess was oblivious.
He snorted at the joke, then noticed the girl. "Seems like you have a lot of admirers."
"Hmm?" She spun around to look at the girl, then snorted. "Oh, yeah. That's Alison, one of the twins I mentioned. I might have accidentally led her on a little too much. Lydia's tried talking her out of it, but I don't think that's gonna happen any time soon." She flicked her hair over a shoulder. "Such a nuisance, being so attractive."
"That's one problem I wish I had. Everyone just calls me chubby."
Tessa poked his side. "You need to work out more." She then closed her eyes and pressed her fingers to her temple. "I foresee smoking hot abs in the future."
He snorted again. "I foresee muffins and muffin tops."
"Mmm. Muffins." She licked her lips. "I could really go for a muffin right about now. Or maybe five. And some cake." She groaned. "Caaaaaake. Now I'm really hungry."
"See? This is why I'm chubby."
She gestured to her figure. "And yet I'm still fit–and I eat a shitton of food, mind you. None of it healthy. Blech. It's because I do a lot, and never keep the weight. If you did more than wandering around aimlessly, you would have those abs I foresaw."
"I don't like staying in places for longer than a few days, though."
She poked her tongue out as she thought. "I know what you mean. I move around a lot too, especially when I was young. I can't stay in one place for an extended period of time. Makes me jittery. Now you see why I raged when I was grounded." She chuckled to herself. "But I'm still never in the same place. Y'know how often I actually come back here?" She looked at Runner. "Once a week. And that's for tournaments. I love this place and all, but it's all the same." She shrugged. "Being a part of the team lets me move around freely, discover new worlds and explore realms I've only dreamed of. But I still have a place to call home should I need it." She scrunched up her face. "Blech. I'm getting sentimental. I really need some booze now."
"I don't like homes, man. The only one I remember is….well, you know what I'm talking about."
She nodded. "Understandable. Can't stand basements or being underground myself. Will do everything in my power to avoid it. Being inside also grates on me, but not as bad."
"We're getting sappy. Where is this place, again?"
"Right here." She pulled him into an empty but cute little cafe. A girl that looked identical to the one they passed earlier leaned against the counter, doodling on a piece of paper. She looked up at the two as they walked in and smiled. "Tessa! Nice to see you again, though I doubt the Bronze Giants can say the same."
Tess grinned and directed Runner to a table. "I'll have my usual, Lydia. Runner? They'll make whatever, by the way."
"Like, they'll make a pizza?"
Lydia rolled her eyes. "You belong in the Vanguard with that request. Every stinking night I get a call for fifteen different pizzas."
He shrugged. "Sorry, I guess?"
Lydia flapped her hand "No, no. You're fine. We already have a stockpile of pizzas if you still want one."
Her twin, Alison, entered the cafe and spotted Tessa. "Oh. I'll start on your food." She scurried into the kitchen.